Not full-sized but still cavernous for all your luggage and gear
When you’re in the market for a mid-size SUV, one of the most crucial metrics is cargo space. That means busy families, road trip lovers, or gear-haulers can rest easy knowing that they can fit just about anything they need inside, not just people. Midsize SUVs hit that sweet spot of exterior dimensions and interior space. They’re not cumbersome to drive or park, but they also don’t scrimp on cubic feet of cargo space.
GMC
After all, what good is a beautiful cabin if you can’t squeeze in the golf clubs, stroller, camping gear, or a truly massive Costco run? Here are the top five midsize SUVs offering the most space to store your stuff. Some models are two-row, others are three-row, but all of them get five stars for voluminous cargo capacity.
Chevrolet Traverse – 97.6 cubic feet
Chevrolet
When it comes to pure volume, the 2026 Chevrolet Traverse ($40,800) is a monster that swallows all of your family’s gear. Fold the rear rows down, and it opens up to 97.6 cubic feet. With just the third row folded flat, the Traverse provides 56.6 cubic feet of cargo space and 22.9 cubic feet behind the third row. Even that last dimension provides more cargo space than a BMW 7-Series.

The Traverse’s long, boxy shape allows it to accommodate furniture, mountain bikes, or stacks of suitcases without a struggle. It’s one of the few vehicles in this class where you can load bulky items upright without removing a row of seats. Who needs a minivan, anyway? Chevrolet has also made the loading process effortless with a low lift-in height and an available power liftgate. For families who frequently travel or haul sports gear, the Traverse remains a top recommendation for its blend of space and simplicity.
GMC Acadia – 97.6 cubic feet
GMC
The GMC Acadia ($43,700) shares the Traverse’s platform and offers nearly identical cargo numbers while delivering a more premium interior. It offers 97.5 cubic feet of total cargo space, 57.3 cubic feet behind the second row, and 23.0 cubic feet behind the third. That’s plenty huge, whether you’re hauling an antique dresser or toting your Irish Wolfhounds. It also has wide door openings and seats that fold totally flat. The available hands-free liftgate and flexible second-row slide-and-fold function allow quick transitions between passenger duty and cargo hauling.
GMC
What sets the Acadia apart is its upscale design and quieter cabin, proving that practicality doesn’t have to come at the expense of comfort. For those who want luxury appointments with full-on cargo utility, the Acadia strikes the perfect balance. Step up to the Denali trim, and you get the pinnacle of GMC luxury to match its cavernous interior.
Toyota Grand Highlander – 97.5 cubic feet
Toyota
Tied with the Acadia is the Toyota Grand Highlander, one of the most versatile midsize SUVs available today. Despite its name, it’s still categorized as midsize, but its interior feels full-size. There’s 97.5 cubic feet of cargo room with all rows folded flat, 57.9 cubic feet behind the second row, and 21.0 cubic feet behind the third row. Toyota also gives the Grand Highlander one of the most comfortable third rows in the segment, so you can actually fit adults without sacrificing much cargo space.
Toyota
Available Hybrid and Hybrid Max powertrains add efficiency to the equation, making this SUV not just one of the most spacious, but also one of the most economical for families that need flexibility without full-size bulk.
Volkswagen Atlas – 96.8 cubic feet
Volkswagen
The 2026 Volkswagen Atlas ($39,310) continues to impress near the end of the current generation with its cavernous cabin and minimalist German design. It has a maximum cargo room of 96.8 cubic feet with both rows folded, 55.5 cubic feet behind the second row, and 20.6 cubic feet behind the third row. That third row also makes room for real-sized adults, so no one feels cramped. What’s more, even with the third row up, the Atlas offers a deep rear compartment that easily handles strollers or weekend bags.

Volkswagen has also paid attention to the small things, like plenty of convenient storage spaces, sturdy cargo hooks, and optional underfloor compartments that help secure valuables or tools. With its refined European driving manners and enormous utility, the Atlas is a handsome SUV that swallows passengers in comfort, as well as gear in droves.
2026 Toyota 4Runner – 89.7 cubic feet
Toyota
Who would’ve guessed a rugged off-roader would make it into this illustrious list? The redesigned 2025 Toyota 4Runner ($41,270) keeps its legendary trail-conquering DNA but gains a completely reengineered platform that brings better packaging and great cargo space. The 4Runner boasts a substantial 89.7 cubic feet of total volume with the second row folded flat and 48.4 cubic feet behind the second row. Hybrid Max and three-row versions lose a little, but not much.

The redesigned 2025 version should improve on those numbers slightly, thanks to Toyota’s TNGA-F truck platform, the same tough structure used in the Tacoma and Land Cruiser. The new 4Runner’s squared-off tailgate and flatter load floor make it far more practical for daily use, while still offering exceptional durability. The 4Runner also gets a power liftgate, an available sliding cargo deck, and an underfloor storage compartment for recovery gear or valuables.
Honda Pilot – 87.6 cubic feet
Honda
The 2025 Honda Pilot ($40,200) continues to be one of the most family-friendly midsize SUVs on the road, and cargo space is one of the biggest reasons why. Its redesign also gives it real SUV aesthetics, unlike its minivan-esque predecessor. The Pilot offers 87.0 cubic feet of space with the second and third rows folded, 48.5 cubic feet behind the second row, and 18.6 cubic feet behind the third row. Honda also designed the floor to be flat when both rows are down, and it can even handle full 4×8 sheets of drywall. Yeesh, that’s wide.

In the latest generation, the Pilot’s boxier design improves both passenger and cargo room, and the clever removable middle seat in the second row (available on most trims) adds another level of passenger passthrough and storage versatility. Need an eight-passenger configuration one day and a large flat load floor the next? The Pilot handles both with ease.
Final thoughts
These five midsize SUVs show that you can give buyers gobs of storage capacity without having to upsize to a giant SUV that’s unwieldy to drive and park. From the rugged 4Runner to the refined Acadia, there’s a capacious midsize SUV for everyone. Thankfully, they don’t scrimp on style, tech, or passenger space, either. Carmakers have come a long way to make jack-of-all-trades SUVs that are incredibly well-rounded, well-appointed, and well-endowed (with space, that is).
